GENEVA: The International Conference on Climate “Resilient Pakistan” has kicked off in Geneva.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at International Conference on Resilient Pakistan.#ResilientPakistan #PMShehbazinGeneva pic.twitter.com/7hoT4cR4O3
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) January 9, 2023
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in Geneva to co-chair an international conference on ‘Climate Resilient Pakistan’, along with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
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The Prime Minister is accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.
The #Pakistan reconstruction conference after the devastating commences @UN Geneva. Government asks for 50% of the planned US$16.6 billion reconstruction and recovery from the development system. See the country's plan here: https://t.co/QbQGuiAbKS pic.twitter.com/bknqtrLMx1
— Jan Kellett (@JanKellett) January 9, 2023
Speaking at the event, PM Shehbaz Sharif mentioned Pakistan’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF), which laid out a multisectoral strategy for rehabilitation and reconstruction in a climate-resilient and inclusive manner.
The prime minister said with the support of the United Nations, the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Union, Pakistan had prepared a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which estimates flood damages to exceed US$14.9 billion, economic losses over US$15.2 billion and reconstruction needs over US$16.3 billion.
He expressed profound gratitude to Secretary-General Guterres for co-chairing the conference and for his continued support for the people of Pakistan suffering in the aftermath of the floods.
He recalled visiting along with Guterres the flood-affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan in September and said that the people of Pakistan would never forget this gesture of the UN Secretary-General.
He stressed that the question was not only about how to survive, but how to maintain dignity and honour by moving forward with a sense of purpose and achievement.
Shehbaz Sharif said floods disrupted the education of 2.6 million including one million girls.
“We are racing against time,” he said, stressing that relief work needed to continue as some areas of Sindh needed drainage of water.
He mentioned that the broad contours set up in the 4RF plan reflected priority for recovery and reconstruction, with a minimum requirement of $16.3 billion.
He said resilience was required to recover from colossal damages and ensure a sustainable future for the livelihood.
“Pakistan needs a new coalition of the willing to save lives,” he said, urging solidarity and long-term support to the people of Pakistan to renew their hope.
In the conference, Pakistan will outline framework vision for rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood affected areas and emphasize upon the need for global support and long-term partnership to implement it.
The Prime Minister and the UN Secretary General will also hold a joint press stakeout.
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Leaders and high-level representatives from several countries and international financial institutions, foundations and funds are expected to attend the conference, both in person and virtual format.
